The Hershey Bears downed the Binghamton Devils, 4-2, Saturday afternoon at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. The victory improves the Bears record to 12-5-2-0 (26 points) on the season.
Connor McMichael started the scoring just 93 seconds into the contest to give the Bears an early lead. The Devils answered late in the period for a 1-1 tie at the first intermission.
The Bears regained the lead with a goal from Cameron Schilling late in the middle frame for a 2-1 lead at the second intermission.
The Devils would tie the game midway through the final frame at 2-2. Connor McMichael would score his second goal of the game late in the final frame and Brian Pinho would add an empty net goal for the 4-2 final.
STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (4-2-1-0, 2.83 GAA, .885 SV%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Gilles Senn (1-5-1-0, 3.83 GAA, .896 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Devils. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Lucas Johansen (upper body injury), Phil Maillet (lower body injury), Mason Morelli, Andrew Nielsen, Kale Kessey and Eddie Whittchow.
Tyler Nanne was re-assigned to ECHL South Carolina earlier in the day on Saturday.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears opened the scoring with a goal from Connor McMichael (7) just 93 seconds into the contest. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (3) and Damien Riat (5) had the helpers.
Connor McMichael with his 7th goal of the season. Now tied for team lead in goals with Kody Clark. Bears lead 1-0 early in first period. #ALLCAPS #CapsProspect #HBH pic.twitter.com/iDPR2CjBAr
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 3, 2021
The Devils would answer late in the opening frame with a goal from Ben Thomson (4) at 14:25 of the first period.
And that would be it for the scoring in the opening period. Shots on goal were tied 9-9. Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play after 20 minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears regained the lead late in the middle frame with a goal from Cameron Schilling (2) at 13:54. Reece Wilsox (2) and Brett Leason (4) had the assists.
That would be all of the scoring the second period. The Devils outshot the Bears 14-5 for the middle frame. Both teams were 0 for 3 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Devils tied the game late in the final frame with a goal from Tyler Irvine (1) at 14:15 of the third period.
Connor McMichael would retake the lead for the Bears with a late goal at 16:46 of the third period.
Connor McMichael creates a turnover and finishes for his second goal of the game. He now leads the Bears with 8 goals this season. #ALLCAPS #CapsProspect #HBH pic.twitter.com/YiIu5OSJ7s
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 3, 2021
Brian Pinho would add an empty net goal for the 4-2 final.
The Bears are back in action on Wednesday when they visit the Binghamton Devils in Newark, New Jersey. Puck drop is set for just after 7:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 960
- Stars of the game: 1) Connor McMichael, 2) Pheonix Coplet and 3) Axel Jonsson-Fjallby.
- Connor McMichael scored his 7th and 8th goals of the season. He leads the Bears in goals.
- Devils led in shots 31-20 for the game.
- Connor McMichael led the Bears in shots with 4.
- Pheonix Copley stopped 29 of 31 shots faced for a .935 game save percentage.
- Axel Jonsson-Fjallby had three assists.
SCENES FROM CHOCOLATE TOWN
SG on the 4th line with Clark… prob his last season!
Gersich? While I agree with you re: a bottom six role, next year may be too soon. He still needs a little more time developing bottom six skills. But not impossible I guess.